Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Zetec Maintenance Starting the Zetec

I was just wondering how many times your zetecs turn over before they start. For mine it almost always cranks over 4-5 times even when it's warm. The only time I get an insta-start is when it's only been off for 5-10 mins.

Just wanted to check to see if I may have something wrong with my ignition/spark or if it's just a quirk with the Zetec.

Insta-starts every time Mine used to start slow like yours, though, dont know what changed, all I did was put an intake on, didnt think it would change the way it starts. Do you have the original plugs and wires? How many miles are on your car?

I've got original wires, ignition coil, but I changed the plugs about 10k miles ago.

96 GL 61k miles on it

My Tour starts slow every time, this started after I changed the battery to the one that is in the V6. I think it was a bad idea because I dont think my alternator can keep up. But I just had my wires and plugs changed about a month ago.

Has any on you upgraded you battery to the V6 battey?

To the extent of my knowledge the batteries between our cars were all the same. Maybe some differences between the pre98s and the later models but I doubt very much. Even if the P/N is different, as long as the specs are the same it doesn't really matter.

Sockdolloger,
Are you still using your original battery? If so it is probably on its way out. Consider gettting new wires and a new ignition coil too. Accel makes a replacement coil that should make a difference in your performance. Wires could always help also. Batteries can be expensive so it's really up to you where you go from here...if the battery is original I'd bet that, coupled with the other original ignition parts, the battery is the main problem.

If you're interested I still have my stock ignition coil from my 98, it has about the same mileage as you do on it. If you'll pay the shipping I could send it to you and see if it makes a difference at all...if so we can go from there...if not just send it back and we'll have narrowed down a possibility. HTH.

You may also want to check the fuel filter. I was having starting issues and then my car stalled and died fri. Turns out that one of the hoses for my fuel filter was knocked off and was leaking gas down the street. Just another suggestion

Thanks for all the suggestions, I'll have to try a few of them and see how they work. I'm sure the fuel filter needs changing and I'm probably due for some new wires and and possibly an ignition coil. I'll probably start simple with the filter and if that doesn't help I'll mess ith the coil and wires. The battery seems to being doing a pretty good job. Although it's getting old it still can crank the engine over the 4-6 times required on the cold 10 deg days.

I'll try and get a little done on it Thursday or this weekend and let you know how it worked out.

REPLACE YOUR BATTERY!!!!!! When my battery went out it took my alternator and guages out with it! If that happens you do not want to see how much the gauges cost to replace since they have to make them with your correct milage. Mine was under warranty but assuming since yours is a 96 it probably is not.

Thanks for the heads up. I'll have to go shopping and get things brought back up to date and hopefully save myself a few extra headaches a few months down the road.

Oh and a quick question about the EDIS ignition coils... I heard a few months back that people were having trouble with high failure rates on those. Are they actually that problematic or was it just a few cases I happened to catch on the boards?

If you're referring to the ACCEL coils then yes, there were a couple incidents where the coil had a fault. I can't remember the specifics but most of us with an ACCEL coil checked ours and they seem to be fine. I'm pretty sure those were isolated incidents. A new coil from Ford is probably going to cost what the ACCEL coil does so you may as well go ahead and get it.

IIRC both people that had problems with the ACCEL sent theirs back in and got a brand new one sent out no charge.